Laid Off Coal Miners

About the Grant

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $7.4 million National Emergency Grant (NEG) to WorkForce West Virginia to provide retraining and reemployment services to dislocated coal miners and displaced homemakers impacted by mass layoffs and coal mine closures. The grant will help participants find new career paths outside the coal mining industry and long-term reemployment opportunities.

The grant provides up to $5,000 per participant for Classroom Occupational Skills Training in an occupation expected to be in high demand, such as Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Welding, Electrical Engineering, HVAC, Diesel Technology, Chemical Processor, etc… Participants who meet training program attendance requirements will be eligible for training allowances to cover costs of gas, food, child care, etc. at the rate of $20.00 per day for the days attending class up to $100.00 per week.

Who qualifies as a displaced homemaker? The term “displaced homemaker” means an individual who has been providing unpaid services to family members in the home and who has been dependent on the income of another family member but is no longer supported by that income; and is unemployed or underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment. As a result of the lost income or dramatic reduction in income, it may be necessary for a spouse or another member of the family living in the household, to obtain employment or participate in occupational skills training that would make them marketable to find employment in order to support the family. Displaced Homemakers may be a spouse or another member of the family living in the home.

Aren’t sure what you would be interested in? Take a look at jobs that are in demand in West Virginia here. This information can help you decide on training by letting you know what jobs are going to be adding workers over the coming years.